Former Military Chief Mounts Strong Challenge to Lead Israel
Jerusalem, Monday, 26 October 2026.
Challenging Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Tuesday’s national election, centrist Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot leads recent polls after losing his son and two nephews during the Gaza conflict.
A Pragmatic Challenger Emerges
With Israel’s national election just 24 hours away, former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot has positioned himself as the most formidable challenger to incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Leading the centrist Yashar party—founded in September 2025—Eisenkot has surged in recent polls, projected to secure between 21 and 23 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, according to political analysts cited by The Jerusalem Post [2]. This momentum reflects a broader disillusionment among voters with Netanyahu’s leadership, particularly following his handling of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack and the subsequent Gaza conflict. Eisenkot’s campaign has resonated with segments of the electorate seeking stability, pragmatic governance, and an end to the country’s prolonged political deadlock [GPT].
A Personal Tragedy That Shaped a Platform
Eisenkot’s personal loss has become a defining narrative of his campaign. His youngest son, Gal Eisenkot, was killed in combat in Gaza on December 7, 2023, alongside two of his nephews [1]. In a poignant statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on October 25, 2026, Eisenkot declared, “Over Gal’s grave, I swore that the price he paid, he and his friends, those he knew and those he didn’t, would not be in vain” [4]. This emotional appeal underscores his pledge to dismantle Hamas’s military wing and leadership within 18 months if elected, a central plank of the Yashar platform [2][5]. His opposition to the prolonged conflict and his criticism of Netanyahu’s strategy—accusing the prime minister of prolonging the war for political gain—have further galvanized voters weary of the ongoing crisis [1].
From the Battlefield to the Ballot Box
Eisenkot’s rise from military leadership to political contender is anchored in a career defined by service and controversy. Born in 1960 to Moroccan immigrants in Tiberias, Eisenkot enlisted in the Golani Brigade in 1978 and rose through the ranks to become IDF Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2019 [1]. His tenure was marked by decisive actions, including his handling of the 2016 Elor Azaria incident in Hebron, where he supported a military investigation and trial despite intense political pressure, including from Netanyahu [1]. Eisenkot entered politics in 2022 alongside Benny Gantz in the National Unity alliance, serving in the emergency war cabinet following the October 7 attacks before resigning in June 2024 over disagreements with Netanyahu’s post-war strategy [2][3]. His departure from the war cabinet and subsequent formation of Yashar in September 2025 signaled a break from the political status quo, positioning him as a pragmatic alternative to Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition [2].
The Final Push: Strategy and Scandals
With polls showing a tight race ahead of Tuesday’s vote, Eisenkot has intensified his campaign efforts, holding a final rally at Hangar 11 in Tel Aviv on October 25, 2026, to rally supporters. His message has been uncompromising: “There is only one way to bring change and replace Netanyahu—Yashar! It must be the largest party in Israel,” he declared in a post on Instagram [5]. However, the campaign has not been without controversy. On October 24, 2026, Israel’s Central Elections Committee Chair, Judge Noam Solberg, ordered Likud to remove billboards depicting Eisenkot alongside Mansour Abbas and Ahmad Tibi, alleging potential voter confusion and improper use of Arabic text [6]. Likud condemned the decision as an attempt to obscure Eisenkot’s alleged intentions to form a left-wing coalition with Arab parties [6]. Eisenkot has also faced criticism for his stance on the “Defendant Bill,” which would bar criminally indicted individuals from serving as prime minister. While he supports the bill, he has argued it should not apply retroactively to Netanyahu [6].
Policy Platform: Pragmatism Over Ideology
Yashar’s policy platform is designed to appeal to a broad coalition of Israelis, particularly the working middle class, young people, and military personnel, according to economist Shaul Meridor, a Yashar candidate [2]. Key promises include ending Hamas rule within 18 months, opposing Palestinian statehood, and reforming mandatory military service to allow a 3% exemption for ultra-Orthodox Jews (haredim) [2][3]. Eisenkot has also pledged to address the cost-of-living crisis, a critical issue for voters reeling from economic pressures exacerbated by the Gaza conflict [2]. His opposition to formal annexation of the West Bank and illegal outposts, as well as his criticism of settlement expansion plans like E1, further distinguishes him from Netanyahu’s hardline stance [1]. To secure a governing coalition, Eisenkot has signaled his intent to partner with Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad, Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu, and Yair Golan’s Democrats, while excluding Arab and haredi parties [2]. This strategy underscores his centrist, pragmatic approach, though it risks alienating key blocs in a fragmented political landscape.
Regional and International Implications
The election’s outcome carries significant implications for Israel’s regional security alignments and international standing. On October 18, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu, calling him a “great warrior prime minister” and warning that any alternative would be the “wrong leader” [1]. Eisenkot and other opposition leaders have urged the White House to remain neutral, with Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson acting as an intermediary to convey their stance [1]. Analysts suggest that a victory for Eisenkot could lead to a recalibration of Israel’s relations with the United States, particularly on issues such as Iran policy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict [GPT]. Domestically, Eisenkot’s potential rise challenges Netanyahu’s long-standing dominance and signals a possible shift toward more pragmatic governance, though the path to forming a stable coalition remains fraught with uncertainty. With just hours left before polls open, the race remains too close to call, but one thing is clear: Eisenkot’s challenge has redefined the contours of Israeli politics.